The Hertford Brewery – McMullan Beer – 200 Years of Brewing Heritage
The Hertford Brewery has been producing McMullan Beer for 200 years. Making it one of the oldest breweries in the UK. Over the years, their brewing heritage and expertise have been passed down through generations. Giving them a unique edge in producing beer for their wide range of pubs. With so much history, there is much to explore about The Hertford Brewery and the delicious McMullan Beer that it has been creating for two centuries.
A brief history of McMullan
McMullen is one of Britain’s oldest established family breweries, founded in 1827 by Peter McMullen. The heritage of AK can be traced back to 1833. Over the years, McMullen has protected the company’s brewing history by acquiring and investing in public houses. Many of which are still trading today. These pubs are run by managers or business partners, providing an exclusive market for McMullen’s beers.
The McMullen family remains committed to their cask ales and regional brewery as they act as the ‘flag’ for the business. Their dedication to traditional beers continues to be at the core of their brand. Symbolizing quality and consistency for customers. At any given time, eight different types of cask ale are available from the regional brewery:
- Three seasonal ales,
- Two permanent regular ales,
- Two guest beers
- One limited edition ale.
Cask ale is brewed using natural ingredients such as barley malt, hops, yeast and water – no preservatives or artificial flavourings. They employ traditional methods like mashing, sparging and fermenting to create full-bodied flavours and aromas that only come from real ale. Every batch of beer is inspected before it leaves the regional brewery. This ensures it meets the high standards set by the brewers. With its 200-year history, it’s no wonder McMullen’s beer enjoys an iconic status among its loyal customers.
How they manage production
The Hertford brewery, McMullan Beer, has produced high-quality ales for 200 years. Located at 26 Old Cross, Head Brewer Chris Evans designed the Whole Hop Brewery to produce a wide variety of beers. The modern, clean, and efficient brewhouse gives Chris precise control over temperature, clarity, colour, taste, and time.
After WW2, Osmond R’s son Peter fought a court case for 10 years until a law change in 1956 allowed the company to grow. Then, after the drought of 1976, the company expanded its capacity. In 1983, the 1980s, Brewhouse provided the capability to produce lagers. In 2004 the company consolidated its brewing operations into The Whole Hop Brewery, overseen by Peter’s great-great-great-grandson Fergus.
The modern system has replaced the ‘Great Wooden Vat of Hertford’ and the mellow copper tuns. But nothing can replace the skill, care, and love that continues to be lavished on their cask ales and other beers. This regional brewery takes pride in its long-standing tradition of producing fine ales and lagers that beer enthusiasts enjoy worldwide. Cask ale is one of their specialities, crafted with carefully selected ingredients that create unique flavours and aromas. They also offer several beer styles, including stouts, IPAs, pale ales, and pilsners.
Quality from experience
To ensure every batch is perfect, they employ a team of highly experienced brewers who carefully monitor each step of the production process. From quality checking the malts and hops to testing gravity levels and temperatures. They ensure every step is completed precisely so the beer tastes as good as it should.
Cask ale is a favourite among many of the pubs that carry McMullan Beer products. They proudly deliver their exceptional quality ales to customers far and wide. Their commitment to creating delicious brews using traditional methods has made them one of England’s most well-known regional breweries. Their success story is something many craft breweries strive for, and it is an inspiration to aspiring brewers everywhere.
The different beers they produce
McMullan is a family-run regional brewery producing quality beer since 1827. In that time, they have developed an extensive range of beers to suit all palates. They produce cask ales, keg beers, lagers, ciders, core range beers, seasonal ales, speciality beers, and craft beers.
Their award-winning Old Hooky is a classic cask ale that’s been popular for over 150 years. They also offer a variety of other core range beers, such as their Keg IPA and Keg Lager, both of which have become popular with beer lovers.
Their seasonal ales and speciality beers are inspired by their region’s flavours and unique takes on traditional styles, including barrel-aged stouts and sour ales. Lastly, they produce a selection of craft beers with an ever-evolving list of new recipes brewed in small batches. From Session IPAs to New England Pale Ales, there’s something for every craft beer lover!
Their attention to detail and commitment to quality ensures that each cask ale produced at the regional brewery stands out from the rest. As well as ensuring each brew meets its exacting standards. They strive to ensure consistency throughout its entire portfolio. This means that no matter what type of beer you purchase from them, you can rest assured it will be enjoyed every time!
McMullan’s dedication to producing high-quality cask ales has made them one of the most respected regional breweries in the country. From their long history of brewing excellence to their modern take on craft beers, it’s clear that this brewery is dedicated to providing the best products. So if you’re looking for a reliable source of delicious beer, then McMullan’s has a beer for you.
How they’ve managed to stay successful for 200 years
The Hertford Brewery – McMullan Beer has been around for 200 years, which is no small feat. They have managed to stay successful by respecting their customers, staff, tenants, and shareholders. Customer expectations have changed dramatically over the past two centuries, but McMullan has stayed true to its values while evolving. The company has survived and thrived by listening to its customers and providing passionate people and consistent quality. McMullan is a regional brewery that produces cask ale, a type of beer conditioned and served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. They pride themselves on creating excellent beers that their loyal customers enjoy. This commitment to quality and service has enabled McMullan Beer to remain one of the most successful breweries in the UK for over 200 years.
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